Nurse was in Las Vegas at the time, watching a Prince impersonator. It didn’t seem to adversely affect him, as it was common knowledge that Leonard could leave after the 2018-19 season upon being traded last summer from the San Antonio Spurs.

All major stakeholders involved from the Raptors camp said they’d respect Leonard’s free agency and wouldn’t try to influence him to stay in Toronto after delivering the first title in franchise history during his lone season with the club.

It will now be on the rest of the team to try to defend the title without the reigning Finals MVP and climb through an admittedly weakened Eastern Conference field.

As for Kawhi, he’s certainly looking comfortable at home. We may never get used to him in a Clippers jersey but at least he left on his terms, in the most literal way.